Luke Kennard

[Quavarius]

I really hope the coaches are using Kennard's play this year as an example for players thinking about transferring because of incoming elite recruits. Kennard could have transferred last year after Grayson Allen came back and the influx of talented players we brought in. By choosing to stay, he's increased his draft stock and leads the team in scoring.

Yes. Many things broke Kennard's way. Grayson Allen's erratic play/suspension and the injuries to, well hell, everyone on the team. He stuck it out and when those opportunities presented themselves to Kennard, he not only met expectations but exceeded them. Derryck Thornton could have faced those same opportunities if he had chosen to stay.

Hopefully no one transfers and if they're thinking about it, I hope they use Luke as an example of why sticking it out can be rewarding.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Well, Luke was a natural-born baller. We saw glimpses of it last year, especially Inside the arc. I predicted big years for both Luke and Chase. And hey, I got 1 of 2.

Let's not kid ourselves, no kid who has ever transferred from Duke is anywhere near as talented as Luke. He is a rich man's JJ Redick. Yes, I said that. He would prove it too if he stuck around for 4 years, but alas...

 

[Quavarius]

Well, Luke was a natural-born baller. We saw glimpses of it last year, especially Inside the arc. I predicted big years for both Luke and Chase. And hey, I got 1 of 2.

Let's not kid ourselves, no kid who has ever transferred from Duke is anywhere near as talented as Luke. He is a rich man's JJ Redick. Yes, I said that. He would prove it too if he stuck around for 4 years, but alas...

Luke was very inconsistent last year and it drove me crazy he refused to drive the lane.

I'm just saying. He was a 5-star that had a lot of reasons to transfer after last year and now he's THE best player on the team.

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Luke was very inconsistent last year and it drove me crazy he refused to drive the lane.

I'm just saying. He was a 5-star that had a lot of reasons to transfer after last year and now he's THE best player on the team.

Indeed but he was still positioned as a starter to open the season.

 

[sheyduke]

I never thought of Luke transferring after his freshman year. Even if you got a chance to read his article at the beginning of the season he was not gonna be denied minutes.
Coming into to this year he was either gonna come off the bench behind Grayson or start over Matt.
Now I do believe a lot of the players could learn from Luke and realize no matter who is coming in your gonna play regardless.
The difference with this year Luke had teo people to battle for minutes and that was Matt and I don't think you could really say Jackson.
To me it's harder when your a big looking to next season because the amount that didn't play this year ( 4) with one more coming in next year and the possibility of Boldin maybe coming back and the possibility of Knox coming even if he is wanting to play the three or Duke mold of a power forward.
That is a lot of bigs and not enough minutes in the front court to go around. That's even if Bolden leaves and Know doesn't come to Duke.

 

[OhioDukeFan32]

Luke loves Duke and loves school. He's like Singler in that way. He values that degree and I'd be surprised if he's not back for one more year. Plus if he comes back 2 years he could leave a legacy, passing JJ and Hansbrough, as Duke's and the ACC all time leading scorer!!

 

[QC Dukie]

Oh but someone said his parents have been at a lot of games. Surely that means he's leaving after this year.

 

[germantondevil]

I would love to see him back at least for one more season. Dukes not had someone that can put up huge numbers like he can since JJ. He is fun to watch. I will follow him even after he leaves Duke

 

[sheyduke]

Oh but someone said his parents have been at a lot of games. Surely that means he's leaving after this year.

I sure did and since you want to be sarcastic look at his article at the beginning of the year. Luke's stock will not be higher!
It won't change next season or the season after he will just be two years older. Luke's only short coming is that he is not an elite defender. He can score in multiple ways and shoot the three.
I'm sorry but once again I will point this out! Duke is still in it for Knox, Duke has Trent Jr coming in ( who is a starter on 95 percent of college basketball teams), they are still in it for Duval. If Luke stays and Duke lands Knox. What do you do with Jackson( who is playing very good right now) and Trent Jr? Because if you think Dukes plan would be for Knox to come off the bench your imaging things.
Dukes offense will also become different with a pass first pg and a true center in Carter. You also act like Luke hasn't passed Grayson this year and if you think after the season Grayson has had coming back and Luke hasn't took that into concideration guess again.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Unless you are projected to be the #1 pick overall your stock can always be better...yes it could also drop...but to say soneones stock can never be higher is just crazy talk

 

[sheyduke]

Unless you are projected to be the #1 pick overall your stock can always be better...yes it could also drop...but to say soneones stock can never be higher is just crazy talk

Luke's won't be higher especially when next years draft is guard heavy.
Luke worked his way from the middle of the second round at the beginning of the season after Dukes pro day and has stayed between 19-32 in the first round this season. He's not going in the lottery if he goes or stays but the first round yes for his scoring capabilities.
I think he looks at a lot before making his choice but to say he will go higher next year i don't see it.

 

[Mac9192]

I sure did and since you want to be sarcastic look at his article at the beginning of the year. Luke's stock will not be higher!
It won't change next season or the season after he will just be two years older. Luke's only short coming is that he is not an elite defender. He can score in multiple ways and shoot the three.
I'm sorry but once again I will point this out! Duke is still in it for Knox, Duke has Trent Jr coming in ( who is a starter on 95 percent of college basketball teams), they are still in it for Duval. If Luke stays and Duke lands Knox. What do you do with Jackson( who is playing very good right now) and Trent Jr? Because if you think Dukes plan would be for Knox to come off the bench your imaging things.
Dukes offense will also become different with a pass first pg and a true center in Carter. You also act like Luke hasn't passed Grayson this year and if you think after the season Grayson has had coming back and Luke hasn't took that into concideration guess again.

Agree with you Shey. My opinion is that lineup would have been Allen and Kennard in backcourt, with Jackson working in as time went moving Jones to 6th man. The fact that Allen has even worked himself back into a dangerous player once again is a testament to his warrior mentality. Jones has been a steady hand, yes not a scorer as the other guards, but always there. K may keep Allen coming off bench thru tourney. I think the best lineup is when he's in there beside Jackson and Kennard with Tatum and a big.

 

[QC Dukie]

I wasn't being sarcastic, but the fact that his parents were at the games didn't have a bearing on his leaving or not. Lighten up dude. We're all Duke fans and it's a great time to be one.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

Luke's won't be higher especially when next years draft is guard heavy.
Luke worked his way from the middle of the second round at the beginning of the season after Dukes pro day and has stayed between 19-32 in the first round this season. He's not going in the lottery if he goes or stays but the first round yes for his scoring capabilities.
I think he looks at a lot before making his choice but to say he will go higher next year i don't see it.

And if he were to stay 2 more years he could maybe go top 10...like I said it can always improve or drop you just never know...I just don't see him leaving this year but that's just me

 

[Laettner]

Luke will test the waters and attend NBA draft evals. We'll see then.

 

[sheyduke]

And if he were to stay 2 more years he could maybe go top 10...like I said it can always improve or drop you just never know...I just don't see him leaving this year but that's just me

I'm not arguing but ask your self this, will Luke become lightning quick? Will he become a lock down defender? Luke is a great scorer. Imo he could use his right hand a little more on his drives but let's face it the kid can score and does it well. Mid-range, driving to the basket( could use a little more work), floaters and three point shooting. There is nothing he couldn't learn in the league that he could learn in college. But that's just my opinion if he goes good for him if he returns good for him.

 

[sheyduke]

I wasn't being sarcastic, but the fact that his parents were at the games didn't have a bearing on his leaving or not. Lighten up dude. We're all Duke fans and it's a great time to be one.

Um it might not but look at the year Luke is having and I take it his parents are well off so them being there and seeing him play just about every game could hold weight when he sits down this off season to make a decision.
I didn't mean anything by my post I was simply replying to your comment about an earlier comment and assumption I came to based on my own opinion. No harm intended just owning up to my comment.

 

[QC Dukie]

Um it might not but look at the year Luke is having and I take it his parents are well off so them being there and seeing him play just about every game could hold weight when he sits down this off season to make a decision.
I didn't mean anything by my post I was simply replying to your comment about an earlier comment and assumption I came to based on my own opinion. No harm intended just owning up to my comment.

No worries. We can disagree on things here, but in the end I think we all agree on a couple things, it's great to be a blue devil and go to hell carolina.

 

[LouisiAaron]

I sure did and since you want to be sarcastic look at his article at the beginning of the year. Luke's stock will not be higher!
It won't change next season or the season after he will just be two years older. Luke's only short coming is that he is not an elite defender. He can score in multiple ways and shoot the three.
I'm sorry but once again I will point this out! Duke is still in it for Knox, Duke has Trent Jr coming in ( who is a starter on 95 percent of college basketball teams), they are still in it for Duval. If Luke stays and Duke lands Knox. What do you do with Jackson( who is playing very good right now) and Trent Jr? Because if you think Dukes plan would be for Knox to come off the bench your imaging things.
Dukes offense will also become different with a pass first pg and a true center in Carter. You also act like Luke hasn't passed Grayson this year and if you think after the season Grayson has had coming back and Luke hasn't took that into concideration guess again.

Exactly why we don't need Knox. Just give me Duval and we're good to go. I think Bolden will come back for one more year. We can play a traditional lineup next year. It's going to be beautiful to have a true point guard surrounded by snipers and legit big men. Please no one get hurt this summer or next year

 

[LongTimeDukeFan]

Luke loves Duke and loves school. He's like Singler in that way. He values that degree and I'd be surprised if he's not back for one more year. Plus if he comes back 2 years he could leave a legacy, passing JJ and Hansbrough, as Duke's and the ACC all time leading scorer!!

This is interesting. Do you really think he could score that much?

I was reading on RR an ongoing debate about Luke -- was he good / not good -- if he came to UK would he get minutes or ride the bench. It was stated that he grew up a UK fan and that his family were fans big time.

Not sure if those are true or not....and don't really care. He's a Blue Devil now and appears very happy about it.

 

[VaBlueDevil33]

This is interesting. Do you really think he could score that much?

I was reading on RR an ongoing debate about Luke -- was he good / not good -- if he came to UK would he get minutes or ride the bench. It was stated that he grew up a UK fan and that his family were fans big time.

Not sure if those are true or not....and don't really care. He's a Blue Devil now and appears very happy about it.

He and his family were UK fans growing up...who cares??? Means nothing now

 

[QC Dukie]

He's transferring to uk

 

[LongTimeDukeFan]

He and his family were UK fans growing up...who cares??? Means nothing now

Did you make it to the bottom of my post?

 

[sheyduke]

Luke loves Duke and loves school. He's like Singler in that way. He values that degree and I'd be surprised if he's not back for one more year. Plus if he comes back 2 years he could leave a legacy, passing JJ and Hansbrough, as Duke's and the ACC all time leading scorer!!

To pass JJ Luke needs 1,800 points rough estimate. Right now Luke sits at 983 points to date might be off a little.
After the season he'll get feed back from the coaches, his family and every once else. It's the best of both worlds in my view. Return to school earn a degree possibly go down as one of the best Duke players and get drafted or leave this year make millions and go back and get his degree on his own dime.

 

[LongTimeDukeFan]

He's transferring to uk

Right after he wins the championship for Duke...

 

[LongTimeDukeFan]

To pass JJ Luke needs 1,800 points rough estimate. Right now Luke sits at 983 points to date might be off a little.
After the season he'll get feed back from the coaches, his family and every once else. It's the best of both worlds in my view. Return to school earn a degree possibly go down as one of the best Duke players and get drafted or leave this year make millions and go back and get his degree on his own dime.

My pragmatic side would say leave now, get the $$, and then work on the degree as you can. I would think that you could even negotiate something into a contract to set aside something towards a degree.

I think Kyrie is still moving towards a degree (if he hasn't gotten one already). Elton Brand did not. Would be interesting to know who upon leaving early decided to go through with their degree.

 

[timo0402]

To pass JJ Luke needs 1,800 points rough estimate. Right now Luke sits at 983 points to date might be off a little.
After the season he'll get feed back from the coaches, his family and every once else. It's the best of both worlds in my view. Return to school earn a degree possibly go down as one of the best Duke players and get drafted or leave this year make millions and go back and get his degree on his own dime.

This is what he's planning on doing but pretty sure he's going to go. His stock is super high and he's a lock in the first round.

He also has over 1130 points through the acc tourney.

 

[sheyduke]

^^^ figured I was off, lol

 

[gottagonow]

I would love to see him back at least for one more season. Dukes not had someone that can put up huge numbers like he can since JJ. He is fun to watch. I will follow him even after he leaves Duke

Not to argue but Grayson had numbers last season pretty close to Luke's current numbers so I'm not sure why you say that germanton. Grayson was not exactly chopped liver last year. I hope they both come back though.

 

[sheyduke]

New draft boards have Tatum, Giles, Luke and Allen all going in the first round with Frank Jackson going in the early second round.

This is the first time I've seen Grayson back on the 2017 draft boards since beginning of the season and Jackson.

Luke is currently at 16 to Milwaukee, Tatum at six and Giles at 13 to Miami with Grayson I think at 29

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

New draft boards have Tatum, Giles, Luke and Allen all going in the first round with Frank Jackson going in the early second round.

This is the first time I've seen Grayson back on the 2017 draft boards since beginning of the season and Jackson.

Luke is currently at 16 to Milwaukee, Tatum at six and Giles at 13 to Miami with Grayson I think at 29

Our stock is a bit inflated at the moment or more precisely as high as it will be collectively - odds are we will not win another trophy this season.

But it would be a significant let down to not reach the Elite 8 - Marquette & SMU in our way.

So I expect the player stocks to also set somewhere between now and entering the ACC tournament. Kennard leaving would be more surprising and thus more disappointing than Dunleavy leaving early and missing out on starting and leading. Kennard has led offensively but his defense is a major liability thus his overall contribution to the team is diminished

 

[dukehokie]

Our stock is a bit inflated at the moment or more precisely as high as it will be collectively - odds are we will not win another trophy this season.

But it would be a significant let down to not reach the Elite 8 - Marquette & SMU in our way.

So I expect the player stocks to also set somewhere between now and entering the ACC tournament. Kennard leaving would be more surprising and thus more disappointing than Dunleavy leaving early and missing out on starting and leading. Kennard has led offensively but his defense is a major liability thus his overall contribution to the team is diminished

I don't know that Luke leaving would be shocking, and Dunleavy's departure wasn't nearly as surprising when it occurred. Especially considering he went 3rd and was expected to go that high. Honestly his going 3rd in the Yao draft and Boozer dropping to round 2 were the most surprising things that happened around that time.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

I don't know that Luke leaving would be shocking, and Dunleavy's departure wasn't nearly as surprising when it occurred. Especially considering he went 3rd and was expected to go that high. Honestly his going 3rd in the Yao draft and Boozer dropping to round 2 were the most surprising things that happened around that time.

Its interesting to look back at those drafts. Only 2 freshmen in the entire draft. Only 2 straight out of high school as well (Amare Stoudamire and some other dude). About 10 international players, a handful of sophomores, and the rest upperclassmen.

 

[sheyduke]

I just thought it was interesting to see Allen and Jackson pop back up on this years draft boards after being removed Luke moving up to 16 is not a surprise. I do think if he moves into the lottery range he is for sure gone.